The Nihilistic Wisdom in Rust Cohle's Philosophy
A character study of Rust Cohle from True Detective
Ever noticed how villains in fiction tend to be the ones exploring philosophical concepts? Take Thanos, who drew inspiration from moral absolutism, consequentialism, and nihilism. But every once in a while, a character like Rust Cohle comes along and shakes things up. As a protagonist who openly discusses and explores contemporary philosophy, Cohle is actually kind of a rarity in the world of storytelling, not the typical straightforward hero we usually see.
So why are villains often the ones who delve into philosophy in fiction? One possible explanation is that villains are typically portrayed as complex individuals with their own set of motives and reasons for doing what they do. So, By exploring their philosophical beliefs, it adds a layer of complexity to the character and makes them more believable.
On the other hand, Protagonists are typically the good guys. The ones fighting for justice, fighting against injustice, or fighting to make things right in some way. But they don't always go around shouting about their beliefs and values like the villains do. Why? Because it's all about the story. See, the external conflict and the plot are the main focus, not the protagonist's internal beliefs. That's not to say that those beliefs aren't important, but they're not always front and center in the story. It's more about the action and the consequences of that action.
Now, when we take a look at Rust Cohle, we see a breakaway from the typical protagonist archetype. This is a man who delves deeply into his own thoughts and emotions, openly discussing his philosophical views about life and the very nature of existence.
Book One
True Detective is different
You know what's everywhere these days? Detective dramas, aka crime shows. They were very common in the early and mid 2000. And what do they all have in common? The same formula: a crime happens, the detective investigates, the detective solves the crime, justice is served. Lather, rinse, repeat.
“The world needs bad men. We keep the other bad men from the door.”
Don't get me wrong, they can be entertaining as hell. But this formulaic structure doesn't exactly lend itself to exploring the depths of human experience. Sure, we might get some insight into the psychological motivations of the suspects, but what about the impact of the crime on the victim or their loved ones? What about the larger societal and political issues that may be at play? The one other show that delved into these questions was Mindhunter, which Netflix shamelessly cancelled.
So Sure, there are a few shows out there that delve into these themes. But, they're not as common as I would like.
Nic Pizzolatto's masterpiece was a game-changer, a genre-bender, a mind-blower. It takes everything we think we know about crime shows and turns it on its head. It's not just about catching the bad guy and wrapping up the case in a neat little bow. It's about life, love, and the meaning of it all.
The storytelling in True Detective is a thing of beauty. The narrative structure is intricate and multi-layered, weaving together different time periods and perspectives in a way that keeps you engaged. The writing is sharp and poignant, full of deep insights and clever turns of phrase. And the characters are some of the most complex, flawed, and fascinating people you'll ever meet on screen.
But I think what sets True Detective apart is its cinematography. The visuals are dark, moody, and haunting, perfectly capturing the gritty underbelly of the world it portrays. It's not your typical glossy, sanitized Hollywood fare. It's raw, it's real, and it's utterly mesmerizing.
“There is no such thing as forgiveness. People just have short memories “
Rust Cohle was a true standout. With a performance that should undoubtedly be recorded in the annals of modern television history, McConaughey propelled the show into uncharted territory.
Cohle's bleak philosophical ponderings and jaded perspective were a breath of fresh air, subverting the traditional "good cop/bad cop" trope and infusing the series with a level of nuance rarely seen in the genre.
But it wasn't just Cohle's words that made him so captivating. His unconventional investigative techniques and brazen defiance of authority made him an unpredictable wildcard, forcing us to question if he might just be more of an anti-hero than a traditional hero.
At the start of the series, Cohle is shown to be a deeply troubled, and isolated individual. A heavy drinker, struggling to cope with the loss of his young daughter, who had died in a car accident, years before. Despite these personal struggles, though, he's an incredibly talented detective, and his ability to solve complex cases is unparalleled.
Book Two
Time is a flat circle
Cohle has a thing for time - a deep fascination that is central to his philosophy. He believes time is a flat circle, repeating itself in an endless cycle. It's a concept created by Friedrich Nietzsche called "eternal recurrence," asserting that the universe is composed of a finite number of events that will play out again and again.
“Death created time to grow the things that it would kill”
But what makes Cohle's take on this concept so noteworthy is how he weaves in elements of quantum mechanics and string theory to his understanding of time. According to him, time isn't linear but rather a series of parallel universes that intersect and overlap, with each universe a mirror image of the others. Events in one universe are destined to repeat themselves in the others.
It sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel, but what's most fascinating is how the show's writers are willing to play with these ideas in a series that's supposed to be grounded in reality.
His view about time actually allows him to see the world in a different light. He can recognise patterns and connections that the rest of us cannot, and sometimes, he uses this knowledge to predict future events, with startling accuracy.
But, when it comes to his interpretation of nihilism, he takes a more pessimistic view of human nature. Humanity, in his opinion, is fundamentally flawed, and our efforts to improve ourselves are ultimately futile. This viewpoint is based on that nagging belief that we are trapped in an endless cycle of repetition, and that our efforts to break free are doomed to fail. Again, we see many of Nietchche’s influences here.
Cohle described himself in the series as a pessimist, which is a branch of philosophy that is practically an extreme version of Nihilism.
“Of course I'm dangerous, I'm police. I can do terrible things to people with impunity”
Pessimism is basically the belief that life is going to suck no matter what we do. It's the kind of mindset that makes us feel like nothing we do will ever amount to anything and that we're doomed to a lifetime of pain and suffering. And while that may sound pretty depressing, Cohle actually thinks there's something to be said for it.
Book Three
Nihilism
Nihilism is the idea that life doesn't inherently mean anything. And I know, that can be a tough pill to swallow because we're taught to believe that there's some grand purpose to our existence. But if we really stop and think about it, what exactly is that purpose? What's the deal with life? These are age-old questions that philosophers and theologians have been grappling with for centuries, and we still don't have any concrete answers.
That's where Cohle's nihilistic attitude comes into play. See, he's not one to accept easy answers or cling to beliefs just because they're comforting. No, he's all about evidence and proof. He won't believe in anything without it. And honestly, that's kind of interesting, because in a world where people are so quick to believe whatever they're told, his skepticism is a breath of fresh air. It's a realistic and honest way of looking at the world, and it's what makes him such a compelling character.
And As we observe Marty's and Cohle's interactions with one another, we gain insight into how these two detectives perceive the world through their unique lenses. While Hart is your typical gumshoe, embracing the notion of inherent human goodness and the potential for redemption, his role as a family man may have played a part in shaping his perspective. Meanwhile, Cohle deems Hart as a bit naive and misguided, promptly discarding his partner's optimistic outlook on life.
Well, if the common good has got to make up fairy tales, then it’s not good for anybody
But don't let Cohle's bleak worldview fool you - he's not completely without hope. In fact, he recognizes a certain beauty in the endless cycle of repetition that life presents and maintains that we can still find purpose and satisfaction amidst it all.
I guess It's tempting to dismiss Cohle's philosophy as destructive nihilism, but that would be missing the point. When we confront Life's inherent meaninglessness, it can feel like a bleak, empty void. We risk becoming cynical and disillusioned, especially without the comfort of an afterlife or higher power.
Yet Cohle suggests that there's a silver lining to this dark cloud. His nihilism doesn't offer easy answers or comforting delusions, but it does allow him to live authentically. And in a world where so many are desperately seeking meaning and purpose, that may be the most profound wisdom of all.
So Cohle's philosophy ultimately boils down to not resisting the harsh truths of Life, and instead embrace them. In doing so, we may find the freedom and authenticity that we've been searching for all along.